Midway through 2018, Syracuse football is what we thought they were (what we learned)

Rather than putting together another weekly edition of what we learned following Syracuse football's 44-37 overtime loss at Pittsburgh, we decided to take a step back at the midyear point. Let's examine the Orange as we know the team now, keeping in mind perceptions entering the season.

For the most part, this has been a Dennis Green situation. Surprises have been few and far between for 4-2 SU. But there are specifics that have been gleaned, such as how teams have exposed SU's inexperienced linebackers in the run game and where the air attack has broken down over the last couple weeks.

Standout individual performances are also worthy of recognition, particularly those that were less expected.

Let's dive in:

The d-line is for real

Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com

The d-line is for real

The Orange's front four projected to be better in 2018 with all key contributors returning except defensive tackle Kayton Samuels, who transferred to Indiana. It turns out, the group is vastly improved.

While Chris Slayton takes on double-teams in the middle, Alton Robinson and Kendall Coleman have feasted on 1-on-1 matchups on the outside. Each took advantage of a tight end assignment over the last two weeks, easily winning the race to the backfield for a sack.

SU's 20 sacks through six games are tied for third in the country and have already exceeded season totals under head coach Dino Babers in 2016 (16) and 2017 (also 16).

Coleman and Robinson have six apiece, tied for 10th nationally.

A less-heralded aspect of the d-line's success? Nine players seeing regular snaps. Slayton said earlier in the year that the starters feel more fresh late in contests this year.

SU's other standout defensive position group

Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com

SU's other standout defensive position group

The other unit on the defensive side of the ball excelling this year is the cornerbacks. They haven't been beaten over the top since SU's season opener at Western Michigan.

Chris Fredrick and Scoop Bradshaw are ready to be trusted in man coverage and have shown a willingness to give up intermediate routes when necessary.

This allows SU to walk strong safety Evan Foster down to the box more frequently and help a run defense that needs all the numbers it can get.

About that run defense

Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com

About that run defense

The Orange's most glaring weakness on paper has become clear for every remaining team on the schedule to see on film -- its linebackers and safeties struggle to defend the run.

SU gives up an average of 4.7 yards per carry -- 98th in the country -- and considering SU has played Wagner and Connecticut in one-third of its games, that number could be worse.

The lack of experience at linebacker was expected to be an issue, and it is. The question is, can first-year starters Ryan Guthrie, Kielan Whitner and Andrew Armstrong make enough improvements to put themselves in the right places quickly and consistently?

There are plenty of ugly moments to point out from the last couple weeks, but I'll choose to expand on a moment of growth at Pittsburgh.

The Panthers fooled Armstrong early in the contest, running a misdirection play out of a bunch formation. Armstrong followed the flow of the play right for only half a second, but that was enough for running back Qadree Ollison to slip out to the left flat, catch a pass and get around the corner for a first down.

Later in the first half, Armstrong was ready when the formation reappeared and wide receiver Maurice Ffrench took a jet sweep against the flow to Armstrong on the back side. The junior linebacker hit Ffrench squarely at the line of scrimmage and slung him down for a 3rd-and-2 stop.

Being able to correct mistakes quickly is what will determine this group's success because without experience, there will be firsts -- even some situations that weren't foreshadowed in game planning, like Pitt's Wildcat.

On the back end, Andre Cisco and Foster have been left in too many 1-on-1 tackling situations. But they both can be better, Foster especially as a second-year starter.

Turnover chain coming?

Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com

Turnover chain coming?

The Orange spent this offseason training to force turnovers. Ball-disruption circuits became a focus and more hours were put toward simulating turnover situations -- ripping or punching a ball away from an offensive player, catching deflected passes, forcing a fumble while sacking the quarterback, etc.

It's worked better than probably anyone expected. SU's 15 turnovers forced are good for fifth nationally and are already three more than the team totaled all of last season.

Credit Cisco, a true freshman, with four interceptions -- tied for tops in the country. Fredrick (2) also has multiple picks while Robinson (2) leads the team in forced fumbles and Armstrong (2) in fumbles recovered.

This, along with the improved d-line, are the biggest facts behind Syracuse's step forward on defense. However, it's worth remembering that the D looked much better during the first half of last season than the second.